Metabolism of cysteinyl leukotrienes in non-recirculating rat liver perfusion. Hepatocyte heterogeneity in uptake and biliary excretion.

1. The uptake, metabolism and biliary excretion of the cysteinyl leukotrienes LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4, were studied in a non-recirculating rat liver perfusion system at constant flow in both antegrade (from the portal to the caval vein) and retrograde (from the caval to the portal vein) perfusion directions. During a 5-min infusion of [3H]LTC4, [3H]LTD4 and [3H]LTE4 (10 nmol/l each) in antegrade perfusions single-pass extractions of radioactivity from the perfusate were 66%, 81% and 83%, respectively.

Stimulation of thromboxane release by extracellular UTP and ATP from perfused rat liver. Role of icosanoids in mediating the nucleotide responses.

1. In isolated perfused rat liver, infusion of UTP (20 microM) led to a transient, about sevenfold stimulation of thromboxane release (determined as thromboxane B2), which did not parallel the time course of the UTP-induced stimulation of glucose release. An increased thromboxane release was also observed after infusion of ATP (20 microM).

Two different mechanisms of serum resistance in Escherichia coli.

Fifty-three serum-resistant strains of E. coli which were all able to grow in at least 50% normal human serum (NHS) were tested in respect to binding and consumption of C3b, factor H, C5, and C6 after incubation in pooled NHS. The results of immunofluorescence tests, hemolytic assays, and binding studies using radiolabeled components were comparable.